9th October 2016

The ‘A’ Team

“Father, the hour has come. Glorify Your Son, that Your Son may also glorify you, as You have given Him authority over all people, that he might give eternal life to all those You have given him. Now this is eternal life: that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom You have sent.”John 17:1-4 NIV (UK)

We all remember the A-Team. It was one of the most popular tv action shows of the ’80s, and even inspired a big Hollywood movie. I remember seeing a poster for the film that read: “The A-TEAM—there is no plan B.”

Later, while studying Christ’s atonement, I remembered that line. You see, many people have the misunderstanding that mankind’s fall from grace was a surprise for God. They think that he had an ‘original Plan A’, but after our sin forced his hand, he had to come up with a ‘Plan B’—and send Christ to be crucified on the cross.

But we know that this idea just isn’t true. God was never caught off guard by our need for deliverance from sin. He (Father, Son and Holy Spirit) counted that cost for all eternity, and being of one mind and purpose, was both ready and willing to pay it so that humanity would once again be reconciled to him.

Our Lord Jesus foreknew his sacrifice and told his disciples what he must do to overcome evil and bring life out of death. No one could argue that he was naïve or unaware of the path that he would take to make all things new. We know that he sacrificed himself out of his unending love for us. Listen to how what Christ said in the Gospel of John: “Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends” (John 15:13).

And he says again: “No one takes it [my life] from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down and authority to take it up again” (John 10:18).

Let us remember that our Triune God is not the victim of circumstances beyond his control. Christ’s coming and sacrifice was never a ‘Plan B’. Instead, Christ—along with the rest of the Holy Trinity—were always the A-Team, ready, willing and able to pay the ultimate price to bring us back into communion with their divine life.

Prayer
Almighty Father, thank you for your plan for us, which includes eternal life with you. With that hope, you give us guidance and direction as to how we are to live our lives now, looking to that goal. May we live up to your expectations of us. In Jesus’ name we pray.
Amen

Study by Joseph Tkach

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About the Author:Joseph Tkach is the President of Grace Communion International (the Denominational name of The Worldwide Church of God UK), and resides in California, USA.

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